BC Conservative candidates Tara Armstrong, left, and Kristina Loewen, right.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED

Two out of three BC Conservative candidates in Kelowna have dodged all candidate forums, as well as interview requests from iNFOnews.ca.

Kristina Loewen, candidate for Kelowna Centre, told the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce she was “too busy” to attend an all-candidate forum. Loewen also formally declined an interview with iNFOnews.ca prior to the release of opposition research showing she posted conspiracy theories on social media.

Tara Armstrong, candidate for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream, did not respond to the chamber’s invite. When asked for an interview, Armstrong told iNFOnews.ca to fill out a non-specific form online to which there has been no response for nearly two weeks.

The chamber has organized three all-candidates forums this week. Kelowna-Mission candidates are set for tomorrow, Oct. 8. Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream candidates were invited for Oct. 9, and Kelowna Centre’s forum is on Oct. 10. All three forums are at the Coast Capri Hotel beginning at 8:10 a.m.

The chamber’s acting CEO Colleen Clark said the BC Conservative candidate declinations are disappointing.

READ MORE: What you need to know about election forums in Kamloops, Okanagan

“I've been doing all candidates' forums since 1994, whether it be municipal, provincial or federal. And I think it's really important for the candidates to put themselves in front of the electorate and let them have a conversation, be able to ask their questions and see how this person is going to represent them in their riding. So, it behooves them to show up and put in face-to-face with others and have those conversations,” she said.

The chamber is a non-partisan organization but Clark said it’s important for voters to know their candidates.

“We don't operate our all-candidates forums like a great debate. There's not going to be back and forth. We give the candidates an ability to answer the questions based on their values and beliefs,” she said. “An informed electorate is a better electorate, as far as I understand. And in Canada, sadly, we have some voter apathy going on.”

There are at least two candidates for each forum who have confirmed their attendance so the events will be going ahead as planned.

Click here for more information and to register to attend.

BC election day is Oct. 19 with advance voting available Oct. 10 to 13 and Oct. 15 to 16.

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